Intra-ventricular substance delivery catheter system

ABSTRACT

A guide catheter and a needle catheter are disclosed. The guide catheter construction provides for maximum articulation of the deflectable tip and maximum torque response during rotation. The needle catheter may include a release mechanism that imparts a sudden force to the needle in order to facilitate tissue penetration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to catheters, and more particularly tocatheters used to navigate a vascular system in order to access adesired location within a body.

BACKGROUND

It is increasingly important that a physician or surgeon deliveringsubstances, such as drugs, is able to efficiently and accurately locatethe desired target tissue for effective delivery of the substance. Thisis particularly true when the concentration of the substance required atthe target site cannot be safely or effectively achieved by introductionof the substance to a location remote from the target site. Moreover,the physician may only want to treat the diseased portion of an organ ortissue and avoid treating the healthy portions.

Such localized treatment is necessary not only for substance deliverybut also for other treatments, including myocardial revascularization.Myocardial revascularization is a procedure in which “holes” are formedin ischemic ventricular tissue in order to increase blood flow to thetreated area. It is thought that the tissue damage (e.g., holes)encourages growth of blood vessels in the treated area. Similar tosubstance delivery, myocardial revascularization is a procedure that ispreferably performed only on specific areas that require treatment.

One common target site is the left ventricle of the human heart. Theleft ventricle is particularly important since the left ventriclesupplies blood to the entire body with the exception of the lungs. Thus,if the left ventricle is compromised, a patient will become very ill andmay possibly die. The severity of the diseases of the left ventriclecoupled with the importance of localized diagnosis and treatment withinthe left ventricle render the ability to effectively and accuratelyaccess specific portions of the left ventricle extremely important.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments described herein use a deflectable guidecatheter in conjunction with a needle catheter to access the vascularsystem, including the heart, of a patient. The guide catheter has adeflecting tip section with a minimized radius of curvature to maximizethe area that can be accessed by the device. In addition, theconstruction of the guide catheter provides for maximum torque responsewhen rotating the guide catheter. In some embodiments, the needlecatheter includes a mechanism to impart a sudden force on the needle toimprove tissue penetration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements. It should be noted that referencesto “an”, “one”, or “various” embodiments in this disclosure are notnecessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at leastone.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment with the guide catheter in a deflectedposition and the needle catheter protruding from the guide catheter.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the handle portion of the embodiment shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal end of an embodimentof the needle catheter.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the guide catheter that has a second lumento accommodate a stabilizing member that protrudes from the guidecatheter and rests in the apex of the ventricle.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of operating a substancedelivery system that includes a guide catheter and a needle catheter.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the proximalportion of a guide catheter.

FIG. 7 shows the distal portion of one embodiment of a guide catheter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the various embodiments. It will be apparent, however,to one skilled in the art that the various embodiments may be practicedwithout some of these specific details. The following description andthe accompanying drawings provide examples for the purposes ofillustration only. However, these examples should not be construed in alimiting sense as they are merely intended to provide exemplaryembodiments, rather than to provide an exhaustive list of all possibleimplementations.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the distal end of an embodiment is shown, whichincludes guide catheter 10 and needle catheter 20. Although guidecatheter 10 may be used throughout the body of a patient, guide catheter10 is shown in use within the left ventricle of a human heart. Forexample, guide catheter 10 may be introduced into the body of a patientthrough the femoral artery and directed over aortic arch 12, throughaorta 14 and aortic valve 16, and into left ventricle 18.

Once inside left ventricle 18, the distal portion of guide catheter 10may be advanced, retracted, deflected, and/or rotated in order toposition needle catheter 20 in a desired location in order to deliver asubstance (e.g., injection) or conduct a procedure. If tissuepenetration is desired, needle 24 disposed in the distal end of needlecatheter 20 is moved to a deployed position as shown in FIG. 1.

Tip electrode 22 disposed on the distal end of needle catheter 20 isused to determine whether contact with the wall of left ventricle 18 hasbeen made, and if so, whether full needle penetration has been made. Oneway this is accomplished is that when tip electrode 22 contacts liveventricular tissue, there is an amplitude increase in anelectrocardiogram (“ECG”) produced by an electrocardiograph or monitor(not shown) electrically coupled to tip electrode 22 and to referenceelectrode 11.

Thus, if there is an initial ECG amplitude increase that indicatescontact and a subsequent decrease in ECG amplitude upon the extension ofneedle 24, then contact between tip electrode 22 and the ventricularwall has been lost. Such a loss of contact can mean that needle 24, upondeployment, did not penetrate the ventricular wall and that needlecatheter 20 was pushed away from the ventricular wall. Alternatively, aloss of contact can mean that only partial needle penetration wasachieved.

Tip electrode 22 can also be used to diagnose the ventricular tissue.For example, in one embodiment, healthy ventricular tissue typicallyresults in a high amplitude ECG when contacted by tip electrode 22.Stunned (e.g., ischemic) ventricular tissue and ventricular wall tissuewith a reduced thickness are considered to be alive but not functioningproperly. When either of these types of ventricular tissue are contactedby tip electrode 22, a high amplitude ECG is typically seen. Deadventricular tissue and scar tissue, on the other hand, typically eachyield an unchanged or low amplitude ECG when contacted by tip electrode22.

When ECG amplitude information is combined with ventricular wall motioninformation, the stunned ventricular tissue may be differentiated fromhealthy tissue. Specifically, healthy tissue will typically exhibitgreater and more rapid wall motion than stunned tissue. Wall motioninformation may be collected prior to the procedure using ultrasonic,magnetic resonance imaging, and/or various X-ray techniques. Wall motioninformation may also be collected during the procedure by fluoroscopicobservation of tip electrode 22 while in contact with the ventricularwall or by incorporation of a location sensor or an accelerometer (notshown).

In various embodiments, a reference electrode could be coupled to thedistal portion of guide catheter 10, a distal portion of needle catheter20, or an outer surface of the body of the patient. However, theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 has reference electrode 11 (also referred toin some embodiments as an anchor element) disposed on a distal portionof guide catheter 10.

Among other items, FIG. 2 shows handle 25, which is used to controlguide catheter 10. Handle 25 includes grip 30, which is used to controlthe rotational and longitudinal position of guide catheter 10. Handle 25also includes deflection control 32, which is used to control thedeflection of the distal portion of guide catheter 10. The rotationalmovement of guide catheter 10 and the deflection mechanism will bedescribed more fully below.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 also includes the proximal portion of anintroducer sheath (used to introduce a catheter into the body of apatient) that has adjustable friction valve 26 and flush port 28. Flushport 28 provides a means for flushing the introducer sheath.

Adjustable friction valve 26 advantageously allows the operator to setthe friction level exerted on guide catheter 10 at a level appropriatefor the circumstances. For instance, if the catheter is in a positionthat requires no movement, the operator can essentially lock adjustablefriction valve 26 to prevent any rotational or longitudinal movementwithout affecting the ability of the operator to deflect the distalportion of guide catheter 10 or to longitudinally move needle catheter20. However, the operator can also set adjustable friction valve 26 to afriction point where guide catheter 10 is movable only by a sufficientamount of force applied to guide catheter 10 by the operator. Oneexample of an adjustable friction valve is a hemostasis valvecommercially available from Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. underthe name COPILOT.

The construction of guide catheter 10 provides for accurate positioningof guide catheter 10. For instance, guide catheter 10 comprises handle25, described above, and a flexible body portion coupled to handle 25.The flexible body portion has dimensions suitable for insertion into andnavigation through the body of a patient.

The flexible body portion defines lumen 98 therethrough. In variousembodiments, Teflon liner 99 defines lumen 98 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Inuse, needle catheter 20 (see FIG. 1) is disposed within guide catheterlumen 98. It is worth noting here that although the embodimentsdisclosed herein focus mainly on guide catheter 10 as a separate entityfrom needle catheter 20, it is contemplated that the two catheters couldbe designed and constructed as a single catheter.

The flexible body portion of guide catheter 10 includes a distal portionand a proximal portion. The proximal portion, shown in FIG. 6, comprisesflexible element 100 around lumen 98 and outer (e.g., first) braid 102disposed over flexible element 100. Flexible element 100 is at least oneof a coil and a second braid.

If a coil, flexible element 100 is at least one of a single coil and amulti-filar coil (e.g., having multiple coil elements wound together toform a coil). In another embodiment, flexible element 100 is an eightwire braid having 140 picks/inch (a pick is a point where the wirescross when observed along the longitudinal axis of the braid)constructed with flatwire that has a thickness of 0.001 inches and awidth of 0.005 inches.

Regardless of whether flexible element 100 is a coil or a braid,flexible element 100 prevents compression of the flexible body portionand prevents the collapse of outer braid 102. It is important to reducethe amount of compression experienced by the flexible body portion sincelower compression results in more accurate navigation and placement ofguide catheter 10 and improved deflection response.

Outer braid 102 disposed over the flexible element 100 is designed tohave a maximum torque response, which means that torsional force appliedat one end of the flexible body portion will result in an equalrotational movement along the length of the flexible body portion. Amaximized torque response is desirable in various embodiments since alow torque response could result in the flexible body portion acting asa torsional spring, storing rotational force that will eventually bereleased and cause a “whipping” motion. Such a loss of control isobviously undesirable when attempting to navigate a vascular system andposition a guide catheter within the body of a patient.

In one embodiment, outer braid 102 is a sixteen wire braid having 40picks/inch and is wound at an angle of approximately 55 degrees relativeto the longitudinal axis of the flexible body portion. This “lay angle”of approximately 55 degrees has been experimentally determined to yieldthe maximum torque response for any given wire. During theexperimentation, the total torque for a given guide catheter wasdetermined by adding the torques produced by the braid (including torqueproduced by wires that lay to the right and the left), the liner (e.g.,Teflon) beneath the braid, and the plastic coating disposed on the braid(discussed in more detail below).

The proximal portion of the flexible body portion is impregnated withfirst plastic coating 104 (shown in FIG. 6). The distal portion of theflexible body portion (having no flexible element or braid) is coatedwith second plastic coating 112 (see FIG. 7). In various embodiments,second plastic coating 112 is more flexible than first plastic coating104 on the proximal portion. The flexibility of both the proximal anddistal portions can be varied based on the type and thickness of plasticcoating used.

The difference in flexibility between the proximal portion and thedistal portion of the flexible body portion advantageously allows fordeflection of the distal portion for navigation and positioning of theguide catheter. The distal portion is deflected by tendon wire 106having a distal end attached to anchor element 11 (FIG. 7) and aproximal end attached to handle 25 such that manipulation of deflectioncontrol 32 results in deflection of the distal portion of the flexiblebody portion. Tendon wire 106 can be attached to either the innerdiameter or the outer diameter of anchor element 11 in order to impart adeflecting force on anchor element 11.

Tendon wire 106 can be disposed within Teflon sheath 108 located outsideof guide catheter lumen 98 but within flexible element 100 and outerbraid 102. In one embodiment, tendon wire 106 is a stainless steel wirehaving a diameter of 0.008 inches.

In various embodiments, tendon wire 106 is coupled to deflection control32 by a pulley, which gives a mechanical advantage when manipulatingdeflection control 32 in order to deflect the distal portion of theflexible body portion. Furthermore, tendon wire 106 can be disposed in astraight line along the length of guide catheter 10 or can be spiraledalong the length of guide catheter 10.

For instance, the proximal portion may have tendon wire 106 straight orloosely spiraled while the more distal portions of the proximal portionmay have a tighter spiral in order to avoid bias towards any onedirection. Such a bias can occur around a curve such as the aortic arch.However, a tight spiral can prevent bias and the “whipping” associatedwith such bias. In addition, spiraling allows certain rotationalorientations that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to attainand maintain around a curve.

Anchor element 11 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) is disposed in the distal portionof the flexible body portion and can be at least one of a ring (as shownin FIG. 7) and an electrode. In various embodiments, anchor element 11and tendon wire 106 are constructed from electrically conductivematerial so that the tendon wire/anchor element assembly serves as partof the deflection mechanism and as a reference electrode, as discussedabove. For example, FIG. 2 shows electrical interface 38 coupled to thetendon wire so that 39 can receive an electrical signal from tendon wire106 to be used as a reference signal to be compared with the electricalsignal obtained from tip electrode 22.

In various embodiments, a third plastic coating is disposed on an areajust proximal to anchor element 11. The third plastic coating is stifferthan second plastic coating 112 and prevents anchor element 11 frommoving proximally due to stresses experienced during deflection.Furthermore, if tendon wire 106 is attached to the outer diameter ofanchor element 11, the third plastic coating reduces the peel forces onthe bond between tendon wire 106 and anchor element 11 by increasing theradius of curvature (e.g., decreasing the deflection) in the area of thetendon wire/anchor element bond.

In various embodiments, the distal portion of guide catheter 10 has afirst piece of elastically deformable material disposed on a first area.In addition, a second piece of elastically deformable material isdisposed on a second area of the distal portion of guide catheter 10.The second area being approximately 180 degrees from the first area.Thus, the two pieces of elastically deformable material lay on opposite“sides” of the distal portion of guide catheter 10. The two pieces ofelastically deformable material are formed from material having a highermodulus than the plastic coating (e.g., jacket material) that theelastically deformable material displaces. FIG. 7 shows first piece 101Aof elastically deformable material and second piece 101B of elasticallydeformable material connected to the distal portion of guide catheter10.

With the two pieces of elastically deformable material disposed 180degrees from each other, the tendon wire can be attached at a point 90degrees from either of the pieces of elastically deformable material.This configuration and the higher modulus of the elastically deformablematerial create a deflection bias in the areas of the distal portion ofguide catheter 10 that do not have the pieces of elastically deformablematerial. Thus, the deflection characteristics of the distal portion ofguide catheter 10 can be modified based on the elastically deformablematerial used and the placement of the tendon wire relative to theelastically deformable material.

In other embodiments, a coil of elastically deformable material can beused either in place of or in conjunction with the two pieces ofelastically deformable material described above. If used in conjunctionwith the two pieces of elastically deformable material, the coil can becoupled either to the interior or exterior portions of each of the twopieces of elastically deformable material. FIG. 7 shows coil 103 that isconnected to exterior portions of each of first piece 101A ofelastically deformable material and second piece 101B of elasticallydeformable material.

It is worth noting that the elastically deformable material may beattached to the outer portions of guide catheter 10, imbedded or meltedinto the second plastic coating, attached to a coil or braid structure,and/or contain multiple mounting structures. In general, these “splint”configurations can be used to create a restoring force that generatesmore stable elastic deformation of the distal portion of guide catheter10 in a desired direction. The restoring force also facilitates thereturn of the distal portion of guide catheter 10 to an undeflectedstate upon release of the tendon wire force. Such a restoring forceadditionally prevents permanent deformation of the distal portion ofguide catheter 10.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an embodiment with stabilizing member 88,which is used as a reference point for the flexible body portion whenmoving guide catheter 78 and needle catheter 82. In embodiments withsuch a stabilizing member, the flexible body portion of guide catheter78 further includes a second lumen and elongate stabilizing member 88disposed within the second lumen such that the distal end of thestabilizing member protrudes from the distal end of the second lumen.The distal end of stabilizing member 88 can be curved as shown in FIG. 4or can be curled in the shape of a pig tail in order to prevent injuringtissue.

In use, the distal end of stabilizing member 88 is placed and retainedin a location within the body of a patient for reference while needlecatheter 82 is used to diagnose and treat surrounding tissue. In FIG. 4,the apex of the left ventricle serves as the reference point formovement of guide catheter 78 and needle catheter 82. As mentionedabove, although the left ventricle is used for illustration, embodimentswith stabilizing member 88 could be used in other portions of the body.

Besides use of a stabilizing member, there are other ways to assist anoperator in assessing the position of the guide catheter within the bodyof a patient. For example, a location sensor can be disposed in thedistal end of the flexible body portion of the guide catheter. Thelocation sensor could indicate the position of the distal end of theguide catheter by at least one of an electromagnetic mapping system, aradio frequency system, and an ultrasonic mapping system.

Similarly, such a location sensor could be disposed in the distal end ofthe needle catheter. Moreover, portions of the guide catheter and/orneedle catheter can be made of radiopaque material so that theradiopaque portions are detectable with the use of a fluoroscope.

Focusing now on the needle catheter, FIG. 1 shows needle catheter 20protruding from an opening in guide catheter 10 with needle 24 in adeployed position into a wall of left ventricle 18. Needle catheter 20is disposed within the lumen of guide catheter 10 and can be movedlongitudinally relative to guide catheter 10 in the embodiment shown.Thus, in use, needle catheter 20 may be inserted along with guidecatheter 10 into left ventricle 18 or may be inserted through guidecatheter 10 once guide catheter 10 is positioned within left ventricle18. Alternatively, guide catheter 10 and needle catheter 20 can beconstructed as one catheter that is inserted and positioned as a singledevice.

The construction of needle catheter 20 allows for the transfer ofsubstances through the body of needle catheter 20. Examples ofsubstances that may be delivered include drugs, pharmaceutical agents,fluids, proteins, polypeptides, gene therapy material, cell therapymaterial, and deoxyribonucleic acid (“DNA”).

An embodiment of the distal end of needle catheter 20 of FIG. 1 is shownin FIG. 3. Specifically, needle catheter 20 includes duplex spring 56(e.g., two springs wound together, sometimes in opposite directions)impregnated with a polyethylene/ethylene acrylic acid blend. Duplexspring 56 defines a lumen through which substances can be delivered.

In order to give structural support to duplex spring 56, braided shaft58 is disposed over duplex spring 56. Braided shaft 58 may be doublebraided and may also have Teflon sheath 59 disposed on the innerdiameter of braided shaft 58. Finally, plastic coating 60 is disposedover braided shaft 58. Such a coating advantageously provides a smooth,flexible outer surface for the needle catheter.

Needle 64 is coupled to the inner diameter of duplex spring 56. Invarious embodiments, needle 64 is coupled to duplex spring 56 by weldingor soldering. An electrical insulator is disposed between needle 64 andelectrode 62, discussed below. In the embodiment shown, the electricalinsulator is Teflon sheath 76 disposed over at least a portion of needle64. Similarly, duplex spring 56 has Teflon sheath 77 to electricallyinsulate duplex spring 56 from electrode 62.

It is worth noting that although Teflon sheath 76 and Teflon sheath 77are shown as distinct components, sheath 76 and sheath 77 may beconstructed as a single sheath, layer, or component. Although Teflon isused herein as an insulator, other suitable insulators could be used.Alternatively, electrically insulative sheath 76 could be omitted solong as needle 64 was constructed out of a non-conductive material suchas ceramic.

Electrode 62 (same as tip electrode 22 of FIG. 1) is disposed on thedistal end of the needle catheter. Electrode 62 has an opening throughwhich needle 64 is movable between a retracted position (seen in FIG. 3)and a deployed position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, proximal end70 of electrode 62 functions as a stop to prevent distal movement ofneedle 64 beyond the deployed position. For instance, once the distalend of duplex spring 56 contacts proximal end 70, needle 64 is in thefully deployed position and cannot move beyond the deployed position.

In various embodiments, electrode 62 has barbs 66 that aid in attachmentof electrode 62 to the distal end of the needle catheter. Specifically,electrode 62 is inserted into Teflon sheath 59 until barbs 66 lie withinthe inner diameter of Teflon sheath 59. Ring 68 is placed over Teflonsheath 59 to tightly mesh Teflon sheath 59 into barbs 66. In variousembodiments, ring 68 is welded to electrode 62.

Lead attachment 72 is electrically coupled to electrode 62 in order toobtain an electrical signal from electrode 62. In various embodiments,lead attachment 72 is coupled to lead wire 74, which can be any suitableconductor. In the embodiment shown, lead wire 74 is an insulatedmolybdenum wire coupled to electrode 62 (e.g., by lead attachment 72),fed out through a hole in braided shaft 58, and wrapped around braidedshaft 58 before plastic coating 60 is disposed on braided shaft 58. Theinsulation on lead wire 74 could be, for example, polyimide, polyester,and/or Teflon.

As shown in FIG. 2, at the proximal end of the device, lead wire 74 iselectrically coupled to electrical interface 44 so that an instrumentcan receive an electrical signal from electrode 62 through lead wire 74.Adjustable friction valve 34 allows the operator to set the frictionlevel exerted on needle catheter 40 at a desired level. Flush port 36provides a means for flushing guide catheter 10. Similarly, flush port42 provides a means for flushing needle catheter 40.

A needle control assembly is coupled to the proximal end of the needlecatheter. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a needle control assembly. Theneedle control assembly includes an elastically deformable elementcoupled to at least one of the duplex spring and the braided shaft ofthe needle catheter and a release mechanism. The release mechanismreleasably engages the elastically deformable element when theelastically deformable element is in a position that corresponds to theneedle being in a retracted position.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the elastically deformable element isspring 50. The release mechanism includes housing 46 with spring 50disposed within housing 46. Stop 48 of the release mechanism is disposedwithin housing 46 and is coupled to the distal end of spring 50 and toat least one of the duplex spring and the braided shaft of the needlecatheter.

The release mechanism further includes first latch 52 and second latch54. First latch 52 is pivotally coupled to housing 46 and has a movableportion that is biased towards housing 46 by a spring, or the like.First latch 52 also includes an angled portion and a flat portion thatform wedge-shaped protrusion 53 that extends into housing 46 (see FIG.2). In operation, when spring 50 is compressed (e.g., moving the needleto the retracted position), stop 48 can move proximally past the angledportion of wedge-shaped protrusion 53.

Once past the angled portion, the distal end of stop 48 releasablyengages the flat portion of wedge-shaped protrusion 53. Thus, firstlatch 52 holds spring 50 in a compressed state until released by theoperator. In order to ensure that first latch 52 is not inadvertentlyreleased, second latch 54 is used to hold first latch 52 in place.Specifically, second latch 54 is pivotally coupled to housing 46 and hasa movable portion biased towards housing 46. Second latch 54 releasablyengages first latch 52 when the flat portion of first latch 52 is incontact with stop 48 in order to prevent first latch 52 from releasingstop 48.

Thus, an operator might retract needle 24 of FIG. 1 by compressingspring 50 of FIG. 2 and “locking” spring 50 in place with first latch 52and securing first latch 52 with second latch 54. After the needlecatheter is in a desired penetration location, the operator can releasespring 50 with first latch 52 in order to puncture tissue. The“spring-loaded” construction of needle 24 imparts sufficient force topuncture tissue and maintains sufficient force on needle 24 to holdneedle 24 in place once the desired location has been penetrated.Therefore, the release mechanisms disclosed herein advantageously freethe operator from having to manually hold needle 24 in a retractedposition during catheter positioning and from having to manually holdneedle 24 in a deployed position during injection of a substance.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow chart is shown detailing one method ofusing the embodiments disclosed herein. At block 90, the releasemechanism is set to hold the needle in the retracted position. Thesubstance delivery system (e.g., guide catheter and needle catheter) isinserted into the body of a patient at block 92.

If the guide catheter and needle catheter are separate devices, one oftwo methods could be used. First, the guide catheter could be insertedwith a guide wire, the guide wire withdrawn, and the needle catheterinserted. Second, the guide catheter and needle catheter could beinserted together (either as a single device or one device disposedwithin the other, depending on construction).

Next, the substance delivery system is moved to a desired positionwithin the body of the patient at block 94. When the operator is readyto penetrate tissue at block 96, the operator releases the releasemechanism in order to puncture tissue at a desired location. At thispoint the operator will inject a substance into the punctured tissue, ifnecessary.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments have been set forth in the foregoingdescription together with details of structure and function of thevarious embodiments, this disclosure is illustrative only. Changes maybe made in detail, especially matters of structure and management ofparts, without departing from the scope of the various embodiments asexpressed by the broad general meaning of the terms of the appendedclaims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a handle; a flexible body portion coupled tothe handle, the flexible body portion having dimensions suitable forinsertion into and navigation through a body, the flexible body portiondefining a lumen therethrough and having a distal portion and a proximalportion, wherein the proximal portion comprises: a flexible elementdisposed around the lumen, and a braid disposed over the flexibleelement; a first plastic coating impregnated into the proximal portionof the flexible body portion; a second plastic coating impregnated intothe distal portion of the flexible body portion; an anchor elementdisposed in the distal portion of the flexible body portion; a tendonwire having a distal end coupled to the anchor element and a proximalend coupled to the handle such that manipulation of the handle resultsin deflection of the distal portion of the flexible body portion; and anelectrical interface electrically coupled to the tendon wire, whereinthe anchor element and the tendon wire each comprise electricallyconductive material such that an instrument can receive an electricalsignal from the tendon wire through the electrical interface.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchor element comprises: at least oneof a ring and an electrode.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, furthercomprising: a third plastic coating, stiffer than the second plasticcoating, disposed on an area just proximal to the anchor element.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible element is at least one of acoil and a second braid.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein theflexible element is one of a single coil and a multi-filar coil.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the first braid is wound at an angle ofapproximately 55 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the flexiblebody portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a firstpiece of elastically deformable material disposed on a first area of thedistal portion of the flexible body portion; and a second piece ofelastically deformable material disposed on a second area of the distalportion of the flexible body portion, the second area locatedapproximately 180 degrees from the first area.
 8. The apparatus of claim7, further comprising: a coil of elastically deformable material coupledto each of the first and second pieces of elastically deformablematerial.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a secondlumen defined by the flexible body portion; and an elongate stabilizingmember having a distal end, the stabilizing member to be disposed withinthe second lumen such that the distal end of the stabilizing memberprotrudes therefrom such that the distal end of the stabilizing membermay be placed in a position within the body to act as a reference pointfor the flexible body portion.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a location sensor disposed on the distal portion of theflexible body portion, the location sensor to indicate a position of thedistal portion of the flexible body portion within the body by at leastone of an electromagnetic mapping system, a radio frequency mappingsystem, and an ultrasonic mapping system.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: an accelerometer disposed on the distal portion ofthe flexible body portion, the accelerometer to obtain informationregarding cardiac tissue motion.
 12. A substance delivery systemcomprising: a guide catheter comprising a handle; a flexible bodyportion coupled to the handle, the flexible body portion havingdimensions suitable for insertion into and navigation through a body,the flexible body portion defining a lumen therethrough and having adistal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the proximal portioncomprises a flexible element disposed around the lumen, and a braiddisposed over the flexible element; a first plastic coating impregnatedinto the proximal portion of the flexible body portion; a second plasticcoating impregnated into the distal portion of the flexible bodyportion; an anchor element disposed in the distal portion of theflexible body portion; and a tendon wire having a distal end coupled tothe anchor element and a proximal end coupled to the handle such thatmanipulation of the handle results in deflection of the distal portionof the flexible body portion; and a needle catheter to be disposedwithin the lumen of the guide catheter such that a distal end of theneedle catheter can protrude from an opening in the distal end of theguide catheter, the needle catheter comprising a duplex springimpregnated with a third plastic coating, a braided shaft disposed overthe duplex spring, a needle coupled to an inner diameter of the duplexspring, an electrode coupled to the distal end of the needle catheter,the electrode having an opening through which the needle is movablebetween a retracted position and a deployed position, an electricalinsulator disposed between the needle and the electrode, and a needlecontrol assembly comprising an elastically deformable element coupled toat least one of the duplex spring and the braided shaft of the needlecatheter, and a release mechanism which releasably engages theelastically deformable element when the elastically deformable elementis in a position which corresponds to the needle being in the retractedposition.
 13. The substance delivery system of claim 12 furthercomprising: an electrical interface electrically coupled to the tendonwire, wherein the anchor element and the tendon wire each compriseelectrically conductive material such that an instrument can receive anelectrical signal from the tendon wire through the electrical interface.14. The substance delivery system of claim 12, wherein the anchorelement comprises at least one of a ring and an electrode.
 15. Thesubstance delivery system of claim 14, further comprising: a fourthplastic coating, stiffer than the second plastic coating, disposed on anarea just proximal to the anchor element.
 16. The substance deliverysystem of claim 12, wherein the flexible element is at least one of acoil and a second braid.
 17. The substance delivery system of claim 16,wherein the flexible element is one of a single coil and a multi-filarcoil.
 18. The substance delivery system of claim 16, wherein the firstbraid is wound at an angle of approximately 55 degrees relative to alongitudinal axis of the guide catheter.
 19. The substance deliverysystem of claim 12, further comprising: a first piece of elasticallydeformable material disposed on a first area of the distal portion ofthe flexible body portion; and a second piece of elastically deformablematerial disposed on a second area of the distal portion of the flexiblebody portion, the second area located approximately 180 degrees from thefirst area.
 20. The substance delivery system of claim 19, furthercomprising: a coil of elastically deformable material coupled to each ofthe first and second pieces of elastically deformable material.
 21. Thesubstance delivery system of claim 12, further comprising: a secondlumen defined by the flexible body portion; and an elongate stabilizingmember having a distal end, the stabilizing member to be disposed withinthe second lumen such that the distal end of the stabilizing memberprotrudes therefrom such that the distal end of the stabilizing membermay be placed in a position within the body to act as a reference pointfor the flexible body portion.
 22. The substance delivery system ofclaim 12, further comprising: a location sensor disposed on the distalportion of the flexible body portion, the location sensor to indicate aposition of the distal portion of the flexible body portion within thebody by at least one of an electromagnetic mapping system, a radiofrequency mapping system, and an ultrasonic mapping system.
 23. Thesubstance delivery system of claim 12, further comprising: anaccelerometer disposed on at least one of the distal portion of theflexible body portion and a distal portion of the needle catheter, theaccelerometer to obtain information regarding cardiac tissue motion. 24.The substance delivery system of claim 12, wherein the elasticallydeformable element comprises: a spring.
 25. The substance deliverysystem of claim 24, wherein the release mechanism comprises: a housinghaving the spring disposed within the housing; a stop disposed withinthe housing, distal to the spring, and coupled to at least one of theduplex spring and the braided shaft of the needle catheter; a firstlatch pivotally coupled to the housing and having a movable portionbiased towards the housing, the first latch having an angled portion anda flat portion, the flat portion to engage the stop when the needle isin the retracted position; and a second latch pivotally coupled to thehousing and having a movable portion biased towards the housing, thesecond latch to releasably engage the first latch when the flat portionof the first latch is in contact with the stop in order to prevent thefirst latch from releasing the stop.
 26. The substance delivery systemof claim 12, further comprising: a reference electrode coupled to atleast one of the distal portion of the guide catheter, a distal portionof the needle catheter, and an outer surface of the body.